The Star Advertiser reports that Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie has apologized for questioning the legitimacy of a letter said to be written by Senator Daniel Inouye 30 minutes before his death.
The letter to the Governor from Inouye requested that Abercrombie appoint Colleen Hanabusa to replace him.
Abercrombie, who instead chose his Lt Governor Brian Schatz, described the notion that the letter represented the late Senator’s dying wish “problematic.”
The Senator’s widow called Schatz remarks “hurtful” and “disrespectful.”
“The governor’s comments about Dan’s wishes are very hurtful,” said Irene Hirano Inouye. “To question the letter and the authenticity of Dan’s last wishes is certainly disrespectful to Dan, to me and to his family, friends and former staff,” she said.
The Governor’s apology followed shortly after.
“I regret that my comments were interpreted as hurtful and disrespectful. Sen. Inouye was, without a doubt, one of the finest leaders in Hawaii’s history and a mentor to me,”
